Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: conduct a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship, in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network; receive and process control information indicating an establishment of a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; establish, on the basis of the control information, a communication connection path to the second communication network, wherein the at least one access network element of the first communication network acts as a communication element of the second communication network; request a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship from the second communication network by causing a transmission of a grant request message via the established communication connection path; and receive and process a response to the grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for the secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
An apparatus (like a base station or mobile device) allows a first network to use a second network's spectrum. It establishes a "spectrum cooperation relationship" where the first network's access point can act like a user in the second network. The apparatus receives information that this relationship has been established. Then, it creates a communication path to the second network and requests permission to use the second network's spectrum. The request is sent over the established path. Finally, it receives information about which spectrum of the second network it's allowed to use and any usage restrictions.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the causing the apparatus to conduct a procedure associated with setting up the spectrum cooperation relationship further comprises causing the apparatus to: detect communications of cells belonging to the second communication network, and report results of the detection of communications of the cells to the first communication network.
The apparatus described in the previous claim, when setting up the spectrum cooperation relationship, actively scans for signals from the second network's cells (like neighbor cell measurements). It then reports the detected cell information back to the first network. This helps the first network understand the second network's environment.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the detection of communications of cells belonging to the second communication network is initiated by at least one of: a request form the first communication network, and pre-configured information providing information about the communications of the cells belonging to the second communication network.
In the apparatus described in the previous claim, the scanning for the second network's cells can be triggered in one of two ways: either the first network specifically requests the scan, or the apparatus is pre-configured with information about the second network's cells, and starts scanning based on this pre-configured data. This allows for flexible control and configuration of the scanning process.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control information comprises at least one of: information indicating a cell of the second communication network to be used as a serving cell, and context information related to the establishment of a communication connection by a communication element of the second network.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, the "control information" received includes details like which cell of the second network the first network should use as its serving cell, and any other context information needed to establish a connection in the second network. This is essentially setup parameters for joining the second network.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the causing the apparatus to establish a communication connection path to the second communication network comprises causing the apparatus to: conduct an access procedure via an access channel to the second network in accordance with an access procedure used by a communication element.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, creating the communication path to the second network involves the first network's access point performing a standard access procedure. It connects to the second network using a normal access channel, just as if it were a regular device trying to join the network.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the request for the grant of the secondary spectrum usage is triggered by one of: a command received from the first communication network, and an internal trigger processing based on conditions and rules related a request for a grant of a secondary spectrum usage.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, the request to use the second network's spectrum (secondary spectrum usage) is triggered either by a direct command from the first network, or by the apparatus itself based on internal rules or conditions. For example, if traffic is high, the apparatus can decide to request the additional spectrum.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine whether a communication with the second communication network is possible when serving a connected communication element, and when the determination is negative, interrupt a communication operation with the connected communication element, and instruct the connected communication element to communicate with the second communication network for transmitting the grant request message.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, if the apparatus determines it can no longer communicate with a connected device (user equipment), it will interrupt that connection and tell the device to connect directly to the second network for sending the spectrum usage request. This allows the device to directly request spectrum from the second network when the first network cannot facilitate this.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive and process an update message indicating an update of information including the response to the grant request message.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, the apparatus can receive updates regarding the spectrum usage grant. This means that if the available spectrum changes, or the usage conditions are modified, the apparatus will receive a message with the updated information.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least: receive and process a request for a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship for another access network element, and transmit a grant response message for the request for the grant of the secondary spectrum usage for the other access network element.
In the apparatus described in Claim 1, the apparatus can also handle requests for spectrum usage from *other* access network elements within the first network. It receives a spectrum request for another access point and sends a response.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the processing of the request for the grant of the secondary spectrum usage for the other access network element includes: determine whether the request is to be forwarded to the first or second communication network for granting of the secondary spectrum usage for the other access network element, wherein in the case that the determination is negative, the processing includes: coordinate a usage of a previously granted secondary spectrum usage with the other access network element, and prepare the grant response message for the request for the grant of the secondary spectrum usage for the other access network element on the basis of the coordination, wherein in the case that the determination is positive, the processing includes: transmit the request to the first or second communication network, wherein an indication of the other access network element is included to the request, receive a grant response message from the first or second communication network, and prepare the grant response message for the request for the grant of the secondary spectrum usage for the other access network element on the basis of the received grant response message from the first or second communication network.
Regarding Claim 9, when handling a spectrum request from *another* access point, the apparatus first decides whether to forward that request to either the first or second network for approval. If forwarding isn't needed (for example, if the apparatus can handle the request itself), it coordinates spectrum usage with the *other* access point, ensures there are no conflicts with already-granted spectrum, and then creates a response. If forwarding is necessary, the apparatus sends the request, including the requesting access point's ID, receives a response from the first or second network, and then formulates its own response based on that received response.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an access network element of a cell of the first communication network, wherein the first communication network is controlled by a first communication network control element or a first operation and maintenance element, and the second communication network is controlled by a second communication network control element or a second operation and maintenance element.
The apparatus described in Claim 1 includes an access network element (like a base station) of the first network. The first network is controlled by a network control element or an operation and maintenance element. The second network is similarly controlled by its own corresponding elements. This clarifies the overall network architecture.
12. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: control a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship, in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network; establish a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; transmit control information to at least one access network element of the first communication network, the control information indicating the establishment of the spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; request a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship from the second communication network, wherein the request grant of the secondary spectrum usage is triggered by a command received from the first communication network; and receive and process a response to a grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for the secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
An apparatus controls the spectrum sharing process. It establishes a spectrum cooperation agreement between two networks and sends control information about this agreement to access points in the first network. It requests spectrum from the second network, triggered by a command from the first network. Finally, it receives information from the second network about the granted spectrum and any usage limitations.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: request the at least one access network element to detect the communications of cells belonging to the second communication network.
In the apparatus described in the previous claim, the apparatus requests access network elements to scan for signals from cells belonging to the second communication network. This ensures that the apparatus has up-to-date information about the spectrum environment of the second network.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the procedure associated with setting up the spectrum cooperation relationship further comprises: receive and process a report indicating a detection of communications of cells belonging to the second communication network.
In the apparatus described in Claim 12, the procedure includes receiving reports that indicate detection of communications from the cells of the second network. This allows the apparatus to monitor the network environment based on reports sent from other network elements.
15. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit information about the communications of the cells belonging to the second communication network for pre-configuring a detection of communications of cells belonging to the second communication network.
In the apparatus described in Claim 12, the apparatus transmits information about the communications of the second network's cells. This information is used to pre-configure the detection of communications of the second network's cells.
16. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: control a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship, in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network being the own communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network being another communication network; establish a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; establish a communication connection path to at least one access network element of the first communication network, wherein the at least one access network element of the first communication network acts as a communication element of the second communication network; receive and process a grant request message requesting a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship, wherein the grant request message is received via the established communication connection path; and receive and process a response to the grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
An apparatus that controls spectrum sharing for its *own* network. This apparatus is part of the second network. It establishes a spectrum sharing agreement where a first network can use its spectrum. It creates a communication path to an access point in the first network. Then, it receives a request from the first network to use the second network's spectrum. Finally, it responds with information about the granted spectrum and any usage limitations.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the causing the apparatus to establish a communication connection path to the at least one access network element of the first communication network comprises causing the apparatus to: conduct an access procedure via an access channel of the second network in accordance with an access procedure used by a communication element.
In the apparatus described in Claim 16, creating the communication path to the first network's access point involves a standard access procedure. The first network's access point connects to the second network using a normal access channel.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the establishment of the spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network includes: receive and process a spectrum cooperation relationship establishment request, and transmit a response to the spectrum cooperation relationship establishment request, wherein the spectrum cooperation relationship establishment request includes at least one of: an identification of cells of the second communication network usable as serving cells for establishing a communication connection path with the at least one access network element, and an identification of the at least one access network element and information related to a capability of the at least one access network element for acting as a communication element.
In the apparatus described in Claim 16, establishing the spectrum sharing agreement involves receiving a request to establish the agreement and then sending a response. The request includes information like which cells of the second network can be used as serving cells by the first network, and the capabilities of the first network's access point to act as a user equipment (UE).
19. The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the processing of the spectrum cooperation relationship establishment request includes: determine a cell to be used as a serving cell for a request for grant of a secondary spectrum usage, and determine context information related to an establishment of a communication connection by a communication element, wherein the response to the spectrum cooperation relationship establishment request includes at least one of: information indicating the cell of the second communication network to be used as the serving cell, and the context information related to the establishment of a communication connection by a communication element.
Regarding Claim 18, the processing of the spectrum cooperation request involves selecting a cell to be used as a serving cell for the secondary spectrum usage request, and determining the context information needed to establish a communication connection. The response includes the selected cell and the required context information.
20. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit a response to the grant request message via the established communication connection path, the response comprising information related to a spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
In the apparatus described in Claim 16, the apparatus sends a response regarding the spectrum usage grant through the established communication path, including information on the granted spectrum and usage conditions.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: initiate a measurement of interferences in the second communication network caused by communications of the at least one access network element of the first communication network using the spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage, to process a result of the measurements of interferences, to decide on the basis of the results of measurements whether an update of grant of the secondary spectrum usage is necessary, and to cause a transmission of update information for modifying the information comprised in the response to the grant request message via the established communication connection path, the update information being related to a modified spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage and information related to modified usage conditions.
In the apparatus described in Claim 20, the apparatus monitors interference caused by the first network using the second network's spectrum. Based on these measurements, it decides whether to update the spectrum grant. If an update is needed, it sends a message through the communication path to modify the granted spectrum or usage conditions.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the initiation of a measurement of interferences includes: request at least one access network element or a communication network control element of the second communication network to conduct the measurement of interferences based on an indication of the at least one access network element of the first communication network using the spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage, and receive and process results of the measurements conducted by the at least one access network element of the second communication network.
Regarding Claim 21, monitoring interference involves requesting access points or a control element of the second network to measure interference based on usage from an access point in the first network, and then processing the received measurement reports.
23. The apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising at least one of a communication network control element, and an operation and maintenance element of the second communication network, wherein the first communication network is controlled by a first communication network control element or a first operation and maintenance element.
The apparatus described in Claim 16 contains either a network control element or an operations and maintenance element of the second network. The first network is controlled by similar elements. This clarifies the network architecture for spectrum sharing.
24. A method comprising: conducting a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship, in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network; receiving control information indicating an establishment of a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network, processing the control information; establishing, on the basis of the control information, a communication connection path to the second communication network, wherein the at least one access network element of the first communication network acts as a communication element of the second communication network; requesting a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship from the second communication network by causing a transmission of a grant request message via the established communication connection path; and receiving and processing a response to a grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for the secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
A method for sharing spectrum where a first network can use a second network's spectrum. This method involves setting up a "spectrum cooperation relationship", receiving and processing information about this relationship, establishing a communication path to the second network for the first network's access point (acting as a user equipment), requesting permission to use the second network's spectrum, and receiving information about the granted spectrum and any usage restrictions.
25. A method comprising: controlling a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network; establishing a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; causing transmission of control information to at least one access network element of the first communication network, the control information indicating the establishment of the spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; requesting a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on the established spectrum cooperation relationship; and receiving and processing a response to a grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for the secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
A method for controlling spectrum sharing. This method involves establishing a spectrum sharing agreement between two networks and sending information about this agreement to access points in the first network. It requests spectrum from the second network and receives information from the second network about the granted spectrum and any usage limitations.
26. A method comprising: controlling a procedure associated with setting up a spectrum cooperation relationship in which a spectrum used for communication by a second communication network being the own communication network is allowed to be shared by at least one access network element of a first communication network being another communication network; establishing a spectrum cooperation relationship between the first communication network and the second communication network; establishing a communication connection path to at least one access network element of the first communication network wherein the at least one access network element of the first communication network acts as a communication element of the second communication network; receiving and processing a grant request message requesting a grant of a secondary spectrum usage based on of the established spectrum cooperation relationship, wherein the grant request message is received via the established communication connection path; and receiving and processing a response to the grant request message from the second communication network, wherein the response is information associated with a spectrum of the second communication network granted for a secondary spectrum usage and information related to usage conditions.
A method for a network (the second network) to allow another network (the first network) to use its spectrum. It sets up a spectrum sharing agreement, establishes a communication path to the first network's access point (acting as a user equipment), receives a request to use the second network's spectrum, and responds with information about the granted spectrum and any usage limitations.
27. The method according to claim 26 , wherein the establishing a communication connection path to the at least one access network element of the first communication network includes: conducting an access procedure via an access channel of the second network in accordance with an access procedure used by a communication element.
In the method described in Claim 26, creating the communication path to the first network's access point involves performing a standard access procedure. The first network's access point connects to the second network using a normal access channel.
Unknown
November 28, 2017
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